Career Summary

Biography

My main research interest in this context is how couples cope with the consequences and outcomes of pregnancy, including miscarriage, perinatal death and of course childbirth. I have conducted a 10 year study following the reproductive lives of 810 couples.

Stress-Related Growth

Stress related growth research explores if, and how, individuals get to a ‘better-off afterward state’ following trauma. My particular interest is whether growth can be ‘encourage’ through cueing and exploring clinical applications in terms of trauma recovery.

Health Behaviour Change

In many areas of health behaviour change population based interventions have typically been unsuccessful, my research interest explores the theoretical underpinning of health promotion to try to better account for interventions impaction on actual change.

Bariatric Psychology

My research in this area explores the motivations for individuals to undertake bariatric surgery and explore psychological accounts for success/failure to change eating behaviour and also the psychological impact of obesity surgy on patients and their families.

Research ExpertiseMy main research expertise is regarding the consequences of reproduction on negative and positive mental health outcomes. Within the I exam stress and both distress and Eustress, in addition to coping. Further areas of study include mens health and mens health behaviour and coping with cancer

Johnson MP, Tsartsara E, 'Pregnancy concerns and the fear of miscarriage: a miscarriage-specific implication or a social fear of failing in terms of womanhood?', Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 3 197-226 (2006) [C1]

Fleming JL, Johnson MP, 'Sex differences in coping with the psychological sequalae of infertility in individuals living with cancer and their partner', Combined Abstracts of 2009 Australian Psychology Conferences, Darwin, NT (2009) [E3]

Fleming JL, Johnson MP, 'The role of social support satisfaction as a moderator of psychological distress in the context of cancer', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Newcastle, NSW (2008) [E3]

2008

Fleming JL, Johnson MP, 'Sex differences in the impact of infertility on psychological distress in individuals living with cancer and their partner', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Newcastle, NSW (2008) [E3]

Research Supervision

Current Supervision

Positive and Negative Wellbeing of Parents of Children with Antisocial Behaviour DisordersPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2005

Women's understanding of postnatal depressionPsychology, University of NewcastleCo-Supervisor

Past Supervision

Year

Research Title / Program / Supervisor Type

2015

The Case for Health Behaviour Model Comparison and Theoretical Integration: Comparing and Combining Predictions of Models in Order to Optimise the Prediction of Health BehavioursPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2012

Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Tobacco, Alcohol or Cannabis Use Among People With and Without Mental DisordersPsychiatry, Faculty of Health and MedicineCo-Supervisor

2011

Postnatal Depression: Women's Explanations and Understanding of Why Some Women Do Not Accept or Delay Seeking Help. An Interpretative Phenomenological StudyPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor

2007

Use of work-based exercise programmes to elevate occupational stress in Academics. Psychology, UnknownCo-Supervisor